Post by Fish Troll on Mar 24, 2007 16:58:02 GMT -5
Notes: Penny up, Kuo down
Right-hander's shoulder improving; lefty shut down
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Brad Penny, feeling no pain in his shoulder, had an impressive bullpen session Friday and is on track to start Monday's exhibition game. Penny missed his scheduled start Wednesday with discomfort near the A/C joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder.
Hong-Chih Kuo, however, has been shut down with inflammation in the back of his throwing shoulder that essentially takes him out of the running for the fifth starter job. Kuo hasn't picked up a ball since struggling through three innings Wednesday night when replacing Penny. He had an MRI Thursday that revealed no structural damage and did not play catch with the other pitchers Friday.
"He'll be down a little bit. We're not sure of the time," said manager Grady Little. "Structurally, he's fine. It needs to be treated."
Meanwhile, Penny threw 78 pitches with no discomfort in the area atop his shoulder, where he felt stiffness earlier in the week. His pitches took on greater life halfway through the session. He is scheduled to start the fourth game of the season April 6 in San Francisco.
"That felt good," said Penny. "I threw everything -- fastballs, curves, splitters. I think I'll be good for Monday."
With Kuo down, the fifth starter spot is there for Brett Tomko, Mark Hendrickson and non-roster invitee Joe Mays. Chad Billingsley, taken out of the competition 10 days ago when Little sent him to the bullpen, will remain there for the start of the season, Little said. The Dodgers will need the fifth starter April 10 and 17.
More injury updates: Swelling in Rafael Furcal's sprained left ankle had reduced significantly Friday morning, less than 24 hours after he was injured in a collision with outfielder Jason Repko, who later pulled a hamstring muscle.
Both players will have MRI exams taken on their injuries when swelling subsides. Furcal is hopeful he will return to action in a week. Repko's injury should take longer and he doesn't figure to open the season on the active roster.
"It's a lot better today," said Furcal, who arrived in the Dodgertown clubhouse on crutches. "I used a lot of ice last night and slept all right. It looks better right away."
He said he is being careful not to put too much weight on his right leg, because that's the one that underwent knee surgery prior to the 2006 season.
One door closes, another opens: The players most likely to make the club because of the injuries to Furcal and Repko had big games again Friday.
Shortstop Wilson Valdez (.382) went 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and a run scored. Outfielder Larry Bigbie (.383) went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, scored a run and struck out twice. James Loney (.435) went 1-for-2.
Betemit heats up: Third baseman Wilson Betemit (.227) went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a run scored.
"Offensively and defensively, he had a good game out there," said Little. "He's getting ready. It's time."
Abreu in the picture: He hasn't played in an exhibition game since injuring his shoulder Saturday, but Tony Abreu could jump from Double-A second baseman to the Opening Day roster.
The injury to Furcal has scrambled roster speculation. Abreu played in a Minor League game Friday and Little said he will start at shortstop Saturday against Baltimore at Ft. Lauderdale.
Until he jammed his left shoulder with an ugly head-first dive, Abreu had done nothing wrong this spring, hitting .394 with three homers and 10 RBIs in only 33 at-bats.
"We have a lot of confidence in what this kid can do," said Little.
Brazoban takes steps: Yhency Brazoban, facing hitters for the first time since Tommy John elbow reconstruction in April, threw 20 pitches and was not as impressive as he was in a bullpen session earlier in the week -- by design.
"I told him to go 75 to 80 percent effort and he stayed there, which is what we wanted," said pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. "His bullpen the other day -- wow, it was electric, it was unbelievable. But he's on a program. He'll get two days off, then pick it up about five more pitches next time."
Brazoban will remain in Florida for extended Spring Training simulated games and, when ready, will start a Minor League rehab assignment at Inland Empire, so he can receive treatment from the Major League training staff between appearances.
Brazoban, who has been setback-free, could be ready to help the Dodgers by May.
In the booth: Russ Langer, voice of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, called the game for the Dodgers Radio Network Friday.
Coming up: Rudy Seanez resumes his bid to win a bullpen spot Saturday against Baltimore at 10:05 a.m. PT in Ft. Lauderdale. Randy Wolf will start against Daniel Cabrera. Also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers are Chin-hui Tsao and Tim Hamulack.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Right-hander's shoulder improving; lefty shut down
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Brad Penny, feeling no pain in his shoulder, had an impressive bullpen session Friday and is on track to start Monday's exhibition game. Penny missed his scheduled start Wednesday with discomfort near the A/C joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder.
Hong-Chih Kuo, however, has been shut down with inflammation in the back of his throwing shoulder that essentially takes him out of the running for the fifth starter job. Kuo hasn't picked up a ball since struggling through three innings Wednesday night when replacing Penny. He had an MRI Thursday that revealed no structural damage and did not play catch with the other pitchers Friday.
"He'll be down a little bit. We're not sure of the time," said manager Grady Little. "Structurally, he's fine. It needs to be treated."
Meanwhile, Penny threw 78 pitches with no discomfort in the area atop his shoulder, where he felt stiffness earlier in the week. His pitches took on greater life halfway through the session. He is scheduled to start the fourth game of the season April 6 in San Francisco.
"That felt good," said Penny. "I threw everything -- fastballs, curves, splitters. I think I'll be good for Monday."
With Kuo down, the fifth starter spot is there for Brett Tomko, Mark Hendrickson and non-roster invitee Joe Mays. Chad Billingsley, taken out of the competition 10 days ago when Little sent him to the bullpen, will remain there for the start of the season, Little said. The Dodgers will need the fifth starter April 10 and 17.
More injury updates: Swelling in Rafael Furcal's sprained left ankle had reduced significantly Friday morning, less than 24 hours after he was injured in a collision with outfielder Jason Repko, who later pulled a hamstring muscle.
Both players will have MRI exams taken on their injuries when swelling subsides. Furcal is hopeful he will return to action in a week. Repko's injury should take longer and he doesn't figure to open the season on the active roster.
"It's a lot better today," said Furcal, who arrived in the Dodgertown clubhouse on crutches. "I used a lot of ice last night and slept all right. It looks better right away."
He said he is being careful not to put too much weight on his right leg, because that's the one that underwent knee surgery prior to the 2006 season.
One door closes, another opens: The players most likely to make the club because of the injuries to Furcal and Repko had big games again Friday.
Shortstop Wilson Valdez (.382) went 2-for-2 with two stolen bases and a run scored. Outfielder Larry Bigbie (.383) went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, scored a run and struck out twice. James Loney (.435) went 1-for-2.
Betemit heats up: Third baseman Wilson Betemit (.227) went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a run scored.
"Offensively and defensively, he had a good game out there," said Little. "He's getting ready. It's time."
Abreu in the picture: He hasn't played in an exhibition game since injuring his shoulder Saturday, but Tony Abreu could jump from Double-A second baseman to the Opening Day roster.
The injury to Furcal has scrambled roster speculation. Abreu played in a Minor League game Friday and Little said he will start at shortstop Saturday against Baltimore at Ft. Lauderdale.
Until he jammed his left shoulder with an ugly head-first dive, Abreu had done nothing wrong this spring, hitting .394 with three homers and 10 RBIs in only 33 at-bats.
"We have a lot of confidence in what this kid can do," said Little.
Brazoban takes steps: Yhency Brazoban, facing hitters for the first time since Tommy John elbow reconstruction in April, threw 20 pitches and was not as impressive as he was in a bullpen session earlier in the week -- by design.
"I told him to go 75 to 80 percent effort and he stayed there, which is what we wanted," said pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. "His bullpen the other day -- wow, it was electric, it was unbelievable. But he's on a program. He'll get two days off, then pick it up about five more pitches next time."
Brazoban will remain in Florida for extended Spring Training simulated games and, when ready, will start a Minor League rehab assignment at Inland Empire, so he can receive treatment from the Major League training staff between appearances.
Brazoban, who has been setback-free, could be ready to help the Dodgers by May.
In the booth: Russ Langer, voice of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, called the game for the Dodgers Radio Network Friday.
Coming up: Rudy Seanez resumes his bid to win a bullpen spot Saturday against Baltimore at 10:05 a.m. PT in Ft. Lauderdale. Randy Wolf will start against Daniel Cabrera. Also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers are Chin-hui Tsao and Tim Hamulack.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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